I would like to provide certain information to you sir. I would like to know the status of this. I attended the PRESS MEET at CRAWFORD HALL. Photo attached for your file. I received letter from then Hon. Vice-Chancellor the PATRIKA PRAKATANE and a Letter to Central Govt. and to State Govt.. Which I have given to them respectively.

I had discussions with then IT Secretary Sri. Shankalinge Gowda. I had scheduled meeting with him along with University of Mysore. Copy of the Minutes are attached for your file in this email.

University of Mysore has come forward to set up a ‘Rashtrakavi Kuvempu International Centre for Kannada Software and Technology’ coinciding with Rashtrakavi Kuvempu’s Birth Centenary celebrations to develop and promote newer technologies for Kannada.

At a press conference here on Thursday, Vice-Chancellor Prof J Shashidara Prasad said the centre would identify and acquire the technologies already developed by various institutions and industries which can help the promotion of Kannada on the digital medium.

It would encourage academic institutions and industries with adequate funds to develop newer technologies for the emerging needs, and facilitate technology transfer to industries, NGOs and end users free of cost.

He said the centre would excel as a repository for Kannada software technologies. At least Rs 5 crore would be required for setting up the centre and Rs 10 crore had been sought from the Centre.

V M Kumaraswamy, CEO, Nova Group, Business and Management Consulting said Union Minister of State for Planning M V Rajashekaran has assured to support the initiative.

Mr Kumaraswamy, a US resident, said Kannada is a language with tremendous richness and antiquity and resilience with over 2,000 years of spoken and written history.

“There has been an uninterrupted growth of its literature and are in various mediums like stone and metal etchings, palm leaf inscriptions and on paper. In keeping with the modern times and technologies, the latest medium on which it has adapted itself is the computer and electronic mediums as evident in the usage of Kannada in electronic publishing, multimedia and educational content, Internet websites, and e-mails, discussion groups, e-books, government administration, word processing and office applications,” he explained.

“There are however some dark clouds hovering over Kannada in these newest electronic mediums and it faces grave danger due to some harmful developments over the past few years as a result of which, independent software developers for Kannada software have virtually been eliminated and ultimately it has reached the stage for the subservience of Kannada language to some elements,” he said.

With the independent software developers in a precarious condition and multifaceted use of computers spreading with English interface, the vast majority of Kannadigas who cannot afford to avail the facilities will be left high and dry, he opined.

It should be borne in mind that unlike the proliferation of the IT industry in State, IT usage within Karnataka and especially the government will have a deep influence and impact on the culture and heritage of Karnataka because it hits at the very root of culture, its language, Mr Kumaraswamy said.

Also the welfare of the masses is at stake when their main medium of communication is not in their language. Hence, the Centre was planned to propel the development of technologies for Kannada for its efficient use on digital mediums like computer.

A proposal was presented by the reps of Mysore University. IT secretary has conducted the meeting by interacting with the members present to know the opinions of the members.

The following three areas for immediate action was finalised:
1. Catering to the needs of imminent requirements such as to address the portability and migration issues.
2. OCR
3. To address the shortcomings in the Mahithi Sindhu project.

after deliberation on the above items, it was decided to start with Mahithi Sindhu. Mysore University will prepare a fresh proposal and send it for Govts approval.

Structure of General council was discussed. VC Mysore University will be the chair, Registrar will be the Vice Chair, Director will the member secretary, Shri Tejaswi, Dr. Kambar, Dr. Venkatsubbiah will be members alongwith other nominated members.

The first General council meeting is proposed to held in the month of August.

The meeting was concluded with thanks by the Secretary.

As a whole the meeting was fruitful and was conducted by the secretary with positive involvement.

How are you? I have not heard from you at all since December 23rd, 2004. That is the time of PRESS CONFERENCE at University of Mysore for KUVEMPU INTERNATIONAL SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGIES CENTER. “KISDTC”
Kuvempu Centre for Kannada Software & Tech in Mysore

Friday, December 24, 2004 – MYSORE, DHNS:

IT usage, especially in the government will have a deep impact on the culture of Karnataka because it hits at the very root of the culture – its language.

University of Mysore has come forward to set up a ‘Rashtrakavi Kuvempu International Centre for Kannada Software and Technology’ coinciding with Rashtrakavi Kuvempu’s Birth Centenary celebrations to develop and promote newer technologies for Kannada.

At a press conference here on Thursday, Vice-Chancellor Prof J Shashidara Prasad said the centre would identify and acquire the technologies already developed by various institutions and industries which can help the promotion of Kannada on the digital medium.

It would encourage academic institutions and industries with adequate funds to develop newer technologies for the emerging needs, and facilitate technology transfer to industries, NGOs and end users free of cost.

He said the centre would excel as a repository for Kannada software technologies. At least Rs 5 crore would be required for setting up the centre and Rs 10 crore had been sought from the Centre.

V M Kumaraswamy, CEO, Nova Group, Business and Management Consulting said Union Minister of State for Planning M V Rajashekaran has assured to support the initiative.

Mr Kumaraswamy, a US resident, said Kannada is a language with tremendous richness and antiquity and resilience with over 2,000 years of spoken and written history.

“There has been an uninterrupted growth of its literature and are in various mediums like stone and metal etchings, palm leaf inscriptions and on paper. In keeping with the modern times and technologies, the latest medium on which it has adapted itself is the computer and electronic mediums as evident in the usage of Kannada in electronic publishing, multimedia and educational content, Internet websites, and e-mails, discussion groups, e-books, government administration, word processing and office applications,” he explained.

“There are however some dark clouds hovering over Kannada in these newest electronic mediums and it faces grave danger due to some harmful developments over the past few years as a result of which, independent software developers for Kannada software have virtually been eliminated and ultimately it has reached the stage for the subservience of Kannada language to some elements,” he said.

With the independent software developers in a precarious condition and multifaceted use of computers spreading with English interface, the vast majority of Kannadigas who cannot afford to avail the facilities will be left high and dry, he opined.

It should be borne in mind that unlike the proliferation of the IT industry in State, IT usage within Karnataka and especially the government will have a deep influence and impact on the culture and heritage of Karnataka because it hits at the very root of culture, its language, Mr Kumaraswamy said.

Also the welfare of the masses is at stake when their main medium of communication is not in their language. Hence, the Centre was planned to propel the development of technologies for Kannada for its efficient use on digital mediums like computer.

At the time of Press Conference Mr. N. Anbarsan and Mr. Sriram was also there with me.

After this there was considerable push was made through GOK. I had met with IT Secretary Sri. Shankarlinge Gowda and Personal Secretary of CM Mr. Ranganath about this and gave them an application requesting a Kannada Software Development Center to be established at University of Mysore.

Now after a gap of few months, things are talking place and Sri. Shankarlinge Gowda has informed me that GOK has written letter to University of Mysore to start a KANNADA Software Development Center. He has written letter to Sri. Tejasvi, Sri. B. L. Shankar and Dr. Kambar about this. It is a good news.

Till this time I had not received any letters from you regarding this. I read your Press Release in kannada prabha about what the University is planning to do. I would like to ask you what steps University has taken to further the process in Kannada Software Development.

I came to know through IT Secretary Shakarlinge Gowda that You and another person from the University are doing some work and making arrangements for this. Can I know who is this other person’s name, email ID and Contact phone number.

Also when I came to Mysore I had given a book ” SPOKEN KANNADA GRAMMER BOOK” written by Dr. harold Schiffman to you. I sincerely request you to hand over the book to Mr. N. Anabarsan if he visits Mysore. I request for you to do this.